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something of interest...



...to some of you on this list (hope so):


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DATE=8/30/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=DUDUK MASTER
NUMBER=5-44167
BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN
DATELINE=LOS ANGELES
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  One of the masters of an Armenian wind 
instrument called the "duduk" (doo-'dook) is taking 
his music to a wider audience.  Djivan Gasparyan (jee-
'vahn gah-spahr-ee-'ahn) records melodies for movie 
sound tracks.  As Mike O'Sullivan reports, he also 
collaborates with a Western jazz artist to extend the 
range of the traditional instrument.

TEXT: The duduk produces a haunting, romantic sound, 
like this from the tune "Eshkhemet" from Djivan 
Gasparyan's album called "Duduk."

/// MUSIC ACT -- establish and fade ///

The Armenian wind instrument can also produce lively 
dance music for celebrations.

/// MUSIC ACT -- establish and fade ///

The duduk is a double-reed instrument that looks like 
an ancient oboe.  It is native to Armenia, made of 
wood from the region's famous apricot trees.

Duduk master Djivan Gasparyan lives in the city of 
Yerevan, where he teaches at the Yerevan Conservatory.  
At 70, he is widely regarded as one the country's 
leading players.

He has also emerged as an international musician, 
recording background music for 18 films, including 
"Russia House," "The Crow," "The Siege," and "Dead Men 
Walking."

Two years ago, Djivan Gasparyan became known to jazz 
fans through his collaborative album with Canadian 
jazz guitarist Michael Brook.  Their album is called 
"Black Rock," and they have performed numerous joint 
concerts in North America and Europe.  

Djivan Gasparyan says he is expanding the instrument's 
range.

/// MUSIC AND GASPARYAN ACT (Armenian with translation 
///

It's duduk in its own new variation, rather than the 
old accepted, heard, loved and cherished duduk as a 
folk instrument.

/// END ACT -- fade music under narration ///

Los Angeles music producer Dickran Bezirgenian (dik-
'ran bez-ir-gen-ee-'ahn) -- who is also Djivan 
Gasparyan's U-S manager -- believes the duduk appeals 
to audiences outside Armenia because of its 
simplicity.  It recalls the instrument's origin 
thousands of years ago as a means of entertainment for 
shepherds.
 
            /// BEZIRGENIAN ACT ///

      I think it is the yearning of going back to the 
      good old days.  With all this technology and 
      electronic involvement in instrumentation, this 
      is like a message from the old world, that 
      things are fine.  And it's kind of like a 
      yearning back to nature, because duduk is a wind 
      instrument coming from nature.  The world in 
      general is mesmerized because it's a beautiful 
      instrument.


            /// END ACT ///

Musician Djivan Gasparyan says the duduk is becoming 
more popular with young people in Armenia, while it 
adapts to its new role as an instrument of world 
music.  (Again, he speaks through his manager, Dickran 
Bezirgenian.)

            /// GASPARYAN ACT -- Armenian with 
translation -- ends with music ///

      Not only does he (Gasparyan) have solo 
      performances on a daily basis.  He has a duet, 
      quartet, sextet, and almost 40 or 50 piece duduk 
      ensemble choir.  And he has actually improvised 
      from the dukuk -- bass, alto, tenor, and soprano 
      instruments, (creating) his own instruments and 
      improvisations.


            /// END ACT -- run music under out-tro and 
signoff ///

The large ensemble groups have not yet been recorded, 
but duduk master Djivan Gasparyan says they will be 
one day.

His traditional music is available on a number of C-
Ds.  His joint album with Michael Brook, called "Black 
Rock," is on Real World Records. (Signed)
  


            /// OPT -- Raise Music ///

NEB/PT



30-Aug-1999 18:42 PM LOC (30-Aug-1999 2242 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
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